James Stanley Derby, 7th earl of

Derby, James Stanley, 7th earl of (därˈbē) [key], 1607–51, English nobleman. He sat in the House of Commons (1625–28), took his seat in the House of Lords as Baron Strange (succeeding his father as earl of Derby in 1642), and was made lord lieutenant of Wales. He did not take an active part in the Long Parliament, but once civil war became imminent he moved to secure Lancashire for the royalists. His plan, although sound at the time, was rejected by King Charles I, and later royalist attempts to capture northern towns were largely unsuccessful. He was impeached (1642) for high treason and fled (1643) to the Isle of Man. He joined Prince Rupert in invading Lancashire in 1644, but after the defeat of the royalists at Marston Moor he returned to Man, where he harbored royalist fugitives. After refusing (1649) to come to terms with Parliament, he fought for Charles II in the battle of Worcester, was captured, court-martialed, and executed.